The case in summary: Wanja Aasen Hamre (27) has struggled mentally for large parts of her life. She had decided to take her own life. When she has been at her darkest, she has written and made music. It has helped her through the worst periods. Last year she wrote a reader’s post about her experiences from the healthcare system, which led to her being invited to the Storting by Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen (H). Wilhelmsen Trøen says Wanja’s story has inspired her a lot and helped shape the new policy of Høgre on mental health. Head of research at UiB, Viggo Krüger, says music can affect mental health in several ways. – I started to think that I actually wanted to live, says Wanja Aasen Hamre. But that wasn’t always the case for the 27-year-old from Moelv in the interior. Large parts of her life have been very low. Several times so far down that she had decided to give up on life, she says. What started as an eating disorder when she was 13 developed into depression and anxiety. Then came the suicidal thoughts and concrete plans to kill themselves. But still she chose to live. He thanks the music for that. Do you need someone to talk to? If you need to talk to someone after reading this case, there are several helplines, chat services and support groups where you can share your thoughts and feelings completely anonymously, and get support, advice and guidance: Mental Health: Helpline has number 116 123 and chat at sidetmedord.no. The Church’s SOS: Helpline has the number 22 40 00 40 and chat at soschat.no. Cross on the neck from the Red Cross: 800 33 321 or chat at korspahalsen.no (for children and young people up to the age of 18.) The emergency telephone for children and young people: 116 111 SnakkOmPsyken.no: Chatteste run by Blå Kors In an emergency, call 113 You can find several helplines here. – I actually wanted to live the times she was most depressed, she has taken up the pen. – It has gotten me through the worst experiences and times, she says. Nevertheless, she was supposed to finish everything in 2015. Then she worked on finishing a song. Then it should be over. Wanja Aasen Hamre has struggled mentally for large parts of her life. She said that she had decided to end her life, but still chose to live. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news When the song was out, things got busy with new music projects. Then there was UKM, where she made it all the way to the national final. Then there were concerts and radio interviews. – There was so much that I didn’t get the chance to end my life, she says. – Then I started to think that I actually want to live. It was the music that made me think. To the Storting But then it got dark again. Once again she took hold of the pen. This time she wrote a reader’s post in which she shared her experiences from the healthcare system. The article was published, among other things, in the local newspaper Ringsaker blad and Dagbladet. When Wanja Aasen Hamre has been at her darkest, she has written lyrics. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news She herself was hospitalized, but messages poured in from others in the same situation who wanted help from Hamre. – I wanted to help everyone, but I realized that I have to help myself first, she says. One of those who read the post was Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen (H). She is head of the health and care committee at the Storting. She was bothered by the story, and invited the 27-year-old to the Storting. – I think it is so important to get input and advice from those who actually know how things are and who can give input on what works and what doesn’t, says Wilhelmsen Trøen. Wanja Aasen Hamre was invited to the Storting by Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen (H) to talk about her experiences with the healthcare system. Photo: Privat Hamre traveled to Oslo. There she talked with Trøen for several hours. – I sat with a feeling that we actually made a difference this day, says Hamre. – If I get the opportunity to be able to make a difference, I will do it. And he seized the opportunity. Through the music. Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen (H): At the same time as the reader’s article by Wanja Aasen Hamre was printed, Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen (H) worked on a new policy for Høgre on mental health. – I learned a lot from the conversation with Wanja. The insight she gave me into how she experienced meeting the mental health system influenced and shaped several of our new political solutions in the area, says Wilhelmsen Trøen. Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen (H): They called the new policy on the theme of “Help that helps”. According to the right-wing politician, Hamre gave strong inspiration to politics. – Especially how important it is to see the individual’s needs and resources, and how we meet people with challenges. The fact that Hamre had almost been like a toss-up between different offers made a particular impression on the politician. – It shouldn’t be like this. Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen (H): Wilhelmsen Trøen thinks it is good and important that the 27-year-old tells his story and his experiences. – We all have mental health, and most of us have challenges with it during our lives. Unfortunately, there is still both shame and stigma around mental health. – I am sure that Wanja’s openness and strong fight are an inspiration to many others who struggle and need hope to get better. Music as therapy After a tough year, last year she started making music with the newly started production company Mumble. – I got a driving force that I have never had before. Then I thought “no, you know what, now I’m going to get out of the depression”. – I was going to do it through music, and then I can help others through my music, she says. Now the 27-year-old has a record deal and is currently working on an EP. Now it’s the music that calls. – It is vitally important to me. I have found that it is what I am, and it is what I want to be. It’s my way of expressing myself. It is therapy and a place of refuge, she says. – The music is all original. Wanja Aasen Hamre thanks music for keeping her alive to this day. Now she hopes to be able to help others through music. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news Because music can affect our mental health, asserts Viggo Krüger. He is head of research at the Grieg Academy’s center for music therapy research (GAMUT) at the University of Bergen. He is preoccupied with how music can be used as a health-promoting tool. Head of research at UiB, Viggo Krüger, says that music can affect mental health in several ways. Photo: Privat Both listening to and making music can release hormones such as endorphins and dopamine. These can give a feeling of joy, mastery and happiness, he says. But, when one is very down and needs to be heard and understood, music can also be used to give us a voice and feel a sense of community. – Then the music means a lot to many people, he says. The whole range of emotions Despite the positive benefits of music, it can also evoke difficult and challenging emotions. – We need the music to express the fandom. Many people use music to face problems, but you have to be careful to do it in a sustainable way. Have you thought about how music affects you? Yes, it affects me for better or worse🎶 Yes, and music gives me a lot of joy💃 No, I’ve never thought about that 😊 Show result He adds that artists as role models have a special responsibility not to, for example, praise suicide or encourage to election. – It is deeply human to make music, and music should reflect the whole range of feelings. Premonition of the darkness Even if the 27-year-old is in a good place in her life now, she is aware of, and premonition of, that she may relapse. Wanja Aasen Hamre knows that there may be dark days again, but she is prepared for that. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news Then there is one thing she and others in the same situation must be aware of, she believes. – Even though it’s dark now, it will get brighter. Do you need someone to talk to? If you need to talk to someone after reading this case, there are several helplines, chat services and support groups where you can share your thoughts and feelings completely anonymously, and get support, advice and guidance: Mental Health: Helpline has number 116 123 and chat at sidetmedord.no. The Church’s SOS: Helpline has the number 22 40 00 40 and chat at soschat.no. Cross on the neck from the Red Cross: 800 33 321 or chat at korspahalsen.no (for children and young people up to the age of 18.) The emergency telephone for children and young people: 116 111 SnakkOmPsyken.no: Chatteste run by Blå Kors In an emergency, call 113 You can find several helplines here. Published 20.07.2024, at 07.45
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Music has saved Wanja Aasen Hamre from Moelv from taking her own life several times – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
